Port of Gothenburg involved in river barge trials

14:33 - 09 Mar 2017 / News

A unique trial run will take place today involving the transport of containers up the Göta Älv river. The company behind the trial run is Avatar Logistics, which will transport containers from the Port of Gothenburg to Vänersborg by barge.

Import containers from APM Terminals in the Port of Gothenburg were transported to Vänersborg.

In 2014, EU rules relating to inland waterways were introduced in Sweden. The Göta Älv is one of the waterways affected. Under these rules, it is possible to operate simpler types of vessels with lower manning requirements and in doing so reduce transport costs.

The logistics company Avatar* is currently examining the potential for transporting import containers from APM Terminals at the Port of Gothenburg to Vänersborg. The containers are loaded onto the barge Kanalia, which is 50 m long and 12 m wide.

The transport time is approximately 10 hours and there will be a welcoming ceremony to mark the arrival in Vänersborg.

Gothenburg Port Authority has been involved in the project.

Magus Kårestedt­, Chief Executive of Gothenburg Port Authority, said: “We wish Avatar every success with today’s trial run. It is the aim of the Port Authority to stimulate inland and coastal traffic in different ways. Apart from supporting this specific project, inland shipping is also granted a special discount on the port charge.”